RAM is one of the more straightforward components to buy, but there are still a few things worth getting right. The main split at the moment is between DDR4 and DDR5. DDR4 remains perfectly capable for most builds and tends to be the more affordable option, while DDR5 is now standard on Intel's and AMD's current-generation platforms. Beyond the generation, you want to pay attention to speed (measured in MHz), capacity, and timings. For most desktop builds, 16GB is the sensible minimum, with 32GB increasingly worth considering if you run demanding workloads or want some headroom.

We compare memory from all the major brands, including Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, Crucial, and others, across a wide range of capacities and speeds. Kits run from budget-friendly single sticks up to high-capacity enthusiast sets with aggressive timings and RGB.

One practical point: always check your motherboard's QVL (qualified vendor list) before buying, particularly with DDR5, where compatibility between kits and specific boards can still vary more than you might expect.